5 Reasons Rush Limbaugh's Apology to Sandra Fluke Isn't Good Enough

Amazingly, Rush Limbaughhas apologized for the deplorable drivel he spewed almost all of last week, bashing the Georgetown student, Sandra Fluke, who testifiedon behalf of birth control coverage. He posted astatement on his website yesterday, half-heartedly noting, "My choice of words was not the best, and in the attempt to be humorous, I created a national stir. I sincerely apologize to Ms. Fluke for the insulting word choices."

Rush's mea culpas have always been few and far between, so on one hand, it's encouraging to see one at all. But unfortunately, the apology itself reads as compulsory and defensive. In fact, it only served to highlight how little he seems to understand the ignorance he's demonstrated or the way he's polluted the political discourse with blatant misogyny. Here, five reasons Rush's apology doesn't warrant forgiveness.

Advertisement

It's likely he caved because his bottom-line was being threatened. Not because he actually felt bad about calling an innocent woman vile names.It was only after several advertisers pulled out from sponsoring his radio show that Rush took to the web to offer up his tepid "sorry."

He still appears to have no clue about women's reproductive health. A real apology would have acknowledged that he clearly didn't understand that birth control does not work like Viagra, in that you take a pill for every sexual encounter. A real apology would have acknowledged that accusing Fluke of basically being a horny floosy had absolutely nothing to do with her testimony, which had to do with women needing birth control pills for health concerns outside of contraception. In fact, I'm still wondering if the man has yet to actually heard Fluke's testimony, because if he had, I'm not sure he would ever, in good conscience, been able to make a connection between it and promiscuity.

His apology only served to demonstrate that he still doesn't understand the politics involved, either. Limbaugh wrote, "I think it is absolutely absurd that during these very serious political times, we are discussing personal sexual recreational activities before members of Congress." Hey, no kidding, Rush, butit's not the Dems or Fluke who have brought politics into Americans' bedrooms. Fluke wasn't discussing her or anyone else's "sexual recreational activities" at all! He goes on to say, "I personally do not agree that American citizens should pay for these social activities." For the bazillionth time, Fluke was testifying against the Blunt amendment, which didn't involve American citizens (aka taxpayers) directly. It was an attempt to allow employers already providing their employees with health insurance to pick and choose (based on their "moral beliefs") which health services and drugs they would allow their employee's insurance plan to cover.

He's still hiding behind the guise that he's an "absurdist entertainer." It's the reason Rick Santorum gave him a free pass, and by opening his half-hearted apology with "I have illustrated the absurd with absurdity," Rush seems less apologetic and more defensive of his bad behavior.

Claiming that he didn't mean to go after Fluke personally sounds like a huge stretch. He says his words weren't meant as a "personal attack" on Fluke. Really? I'm not quite sure how calling a woman a "slut" and a "prostitute" is rarely EVER intended as anything else.